With both sides having chances to open the scoring it was our young Blues who took the lead with Jayden Wareham scoring from the penalty spot after Thierno Ballo was hauled down by Jared Harlock.

The home side’s best opportunity came from our own doing as Dylan Williams under pressure in the box with an attempted clearance almost volleyed into his own net.

The Chelsea lead was almost doubled as Xavier Simons’ header was cleared off the line but following that sequence Blackburn ran down the other end to draw level as Vale slotted calmly past Ted Sharman-Lowe.

Eight minutes later Rovers took the lead as Vale impressively weaved his way past a number of challenges before finding the right finish to beat Sharman-Lowe in goal.

It did not take long for us hit right back as Harvey Vale put in a delightful cross which found the head of Ballo and he nodded past Felix Goddard.

The duo combined again as Vale found Ballo whose finish past the keeper gave us a deserved lead following intense pressure on the Blackburn defence.

Rovers had a larger share of the possession in the second half, and they were beginning to control proceedings as they searched for an equaliser. It eventually came as Georgie Gent was fouled in the box by Josh Brooking and the referee pointed to the spot.

Just as Wareham did, Vale put away the penalty securing his hat-trick and drawing his team level once again.

Both sides had chances that could have given them the lead. For our development squad Wareham had the best opportunity as he put an effort wide of the post while in the penalty area.

A draw would not have changed much for Andy Myers’ side as only a win would secure survival and as we pushed for a winner we were caught late on as Vale scored his fourth of the game giving his side the win.

As mentioned, this means that next week’s fixture against Spurs is of major importance as our development squad will need a win to ensure survival.

Full report to follow shortly.

Chelsea (3-4-3): Ted Sharman-Lowe; Josh Brooking, Xavier Mbuyamba, Bashir Humphreys (c); Lewis Hall (Joe Haigh 66), Xavier Simons, Ben Elliot (Charlie Webster 66), Dylan Williams; Thierno Ballo, Jayden Wareham (Jude Soonsup-Bell 76), Harvey Vale.

Unused subs: Lucas Bergstrom, Dion Rankine.Scorers: Jayden Wareham 20 (p); Thierno Ballo 41, 45+2.Booked: Josh Brooking 57.

Blackburn Rovers (4-1-3-2): Felix Goddard; Daniel Pike (Joseph Ferguson 90+2), Jalil Saadi, Sam Barnes, Georgie Gent; Jake Garrett; Adam Wharton, Jared Harlock, Harrison Wood (Sam Burns 66); Jack Vale, Harry Leonard (Luke Brennan 89).

Unused subs: Jay Haddow, Antonis Stergiakis.Scorers: Jack Vale 31, 39, 58 (p), 90+2.Booked: Daniel Pike 83.